ZCZC
BSS-34
BANGABANDHU-RAIL-BRIDGE
Bangabandhu Rail Bridge contractor to be appointed soon
By Syed Shukur Ali
DHAKA, Sept 11, 2019 (BSS) – The government would appoint main contractor soon for constructing the double-line dual-gauge 4.8-km “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge” over the river Jamuna.
“We are now working to evaluate tender documents as a good number of international reputed firms participated in the tender for construction of the railway bridge,” Project Director (PD) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge Construction Project Quamrul Ahsan told BSS.
He said Bangladesh Railway (BR) and concerned department will be able to complete the evaluation process within this month and the main contractor will be appointed soon.
“The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is expected to be completed within four years (2023),” the project director said.
Earlier, the government floated tender for construction of the railway bridge parallel of the existing Bangabandhu Bridge in November last year. Besides, the design had been completed.
The government has undertaken the project to improve the capacity and safety of railway transportation in Bangladesh and contribute to efficient logistic network within the country and with the neighboring countries.
The dedicated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge over the river Jamuna will ensure smooth communication within the country’s northern, western and eastern regions.
Once the railway bridge construction project is completed, the bridge would also have a positive impact on the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and the government has also approved a 20-year master plan to improve the railway sector.
According to the project detail, the BR would implement the proposed mega project at an estimated cost of Taka 9,734.07 crore, of which Taka 7724.32 crore would come from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as project assistance and Taka 2009.75 crore from Bangladesh Government.
Meanwhile, the BR conducted a feasibility study with financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for undertaking this project, also included in the 37th Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan package signed between Japan and Bangladesh on June 29 last year.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested Japanese funding for the project when she met Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in May, 2014 after completion of the first feasibility study.
BSS/SPL/SAS/SMM/1820 hrs